Kailash & Guge Kingdom Trip

Overview

The tour begins with a fantastic trek beginning in Nepal and ending with a trek completely around Mount Kailash in Tibet,it includes a once in a lifetime journey to the mysterious and haunting kingdom of Guge.Legend has it that in the first half of 20th century the Tibetan government sent a soldier to Guge to collect taxes. However, a couple of days later the soldier returned in a very frightened state, he told the govenor that all he could see there was a world of sand. On hearing this the government dropped the taxation plan.

Guge is barren, desolate and inaccessible for all but the very hardy. The kingdom became an extremely powerful one and it survived for over 700 years from the 9th to 17th century. Altogether 16 kings ruled Guge and yet historical records reveal little about its rise and sudden demise. It was only from letters by western missionaries that people got to know more about the lost empire.

Records show that Guge once made great religious and economic achievements. However its glory was reduced to pieces when the mighty kingdom was involved in a fatal war in the 17th century. The invasion of the neighboring state Ladakh coupled with a domestic rebellion of Guge monks, brought the kingdom to its knees.

The ruins are the only visible legacy Guge has left behind, they extend from the mid-ridge of a hill 300 meters high at its peak and cover an area of 720,000 square meters. Archaeologists have unearthed 445 earthen and wooden structures, 879 caves, 58 blockhouses (a kind of fortification building), four secret tunnels, 28 stupas (traditional pagoda-shaped Buddhist monuments) along with granaries and weaponry storehouses.

An added bonus of this tour is a trip to Mt. Kailash. This holy mountain is popular among both Buddhists and Hindus and worshiped by both.

A. Itinerary in Detail (21 Days)

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu welcome from airport and transfer to Hotel. Briefing and trip and preparation

Day 02: Day for obtaining visa and permit by staff you are sightseeing around the valley.

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj / transfer to Hotel.

Day 04: Fly from Nepalgunj to Simikot 2856m after lunch start trek to Dharapuri. It is a beautiful walk through jungle on a rock switch back path.. Overnight at Dharapuri

Day 05: Trek to Kermi, 2550m Today is a lovely one up the Karnali river / magnificent surroundings of mountains the rushing river and old villages. overnight at Kermi

Day 06: Trek to Yalbang Chaur, 2700m. We continue to follow the Karnali river on the way we stop for a short visit of the Nmakha Gompa. It is the largest and most impressive Gompa in this area. This monastery has been recently built to represent the monastery of Namkha Khyung dzong located at the source of Karnali river and West of holy Mt. Kailash. Around one hundred monks live with their guru (Pema Rigsal Rempoche) here. Overnight at Yalbang Chaur

Day 07: Trek to Tumkot, 2800m. Today is another good day in Karnali Valley Muchhu village on the way this village provides a great insight into high mountain life. Overnight Tumkot

Day 08: Trek to Thado Dhunga(4100m). Today after crossing the Tumkot khola we leave Humla and the Karnali Valley behind.We journey up through Juniper forest to reach Yari village. Beyond Yari village there is a great campsite called Dzunjen from here there are magnificent views of Saipal Himal Overnight at Thado Dhunga also with a great views.

Day 09: Trek to Purang we enter into Tibet Crossing the Nara La pass (4325m). Overnight at Purang

Day 10: Drive to Tirthapuri 4310m. Overnight at Tirthapuri

Day 11: Drive to Tholing, 3780m and visit old kingdom of Guge. Overnight at Tsaprang

Day 12: Drive to Darchen, 4500m. Overnight at Darchen4500m

Day 13: Trek to Dri-Ra-Phuk 4900m. trek north towards Lha Chu valley to enter into the valley of gods. Load up all gear on our pack animals at Tarpoche.The trek begins with a 4 hour hike following the La-chu valley, we take the north bank of the stream to a camp that lies opposite to Drira Phuk monastery. Overnight at Dri-Ra Phuk 4900m

Day 14: Trek to Zuthul Phuk 4700m via Dorma La pass (5400m). From camp the trail is steep and quite strenuous it’s around a six kms hike and takes around 3 to 4 hours. At the top of Drolma la pass we need to trek down a rocky trail for around 4 km before reaching the Lham-chu valley.From here we travel south for about 8km, Zutrul phuk is located by the trail on the slope of the mountain. Overnight at Zuthulphuk

Day 15: To Chi Gumba, Manasarovar lake 4558m

Day 16: One day can be added either to Manasarovar Kora or Guge

Day 17: Drive to Zongba. Overnight at Zongba. Overnight at Zongba

Day 18: Drive to Nyalam. Overnight at Nyalam. Overnight at Nyalam

Day 19: Drive to Tibet-Nepal boarder / change bus and drive to Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel

Day 20: Free day relaxation, shopping etc in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.

Day 21: As per the flight schedule, transfer to airport for journey to onward destination